Treximet – a new migraine drug
Treximet, a new migraine treatment was approved today by the FDA. Treximet is a combination of two old drugs – sumatriptan (Imitrex), 85 mg and naproxen (Aleve), 500 mg. The combination is more effective than Imitrex alone because naproxen provides additional relief through its anti-inflammatory and pain relieving effects. Imitrex is losing its patent protection and is going to be available as a generic drug in 2009. The maker of Treximet, GlaxoSmithKline is hoping to switch most of the patients currently taking Imitrex to Treximet before patent expiration, in order to reduce its losses to generic competition. However, it is likely that insurance companies will force physicians to prescribe generic Imitrex and generic naproxen rather than pay for Treximet. GSK argues that the combination drug, just like Imitrex are fast-dissolving and therefore faster acting drugs than the generic naproxen is and the generic Imitrex is going to be.
I remember being a migraine sufferer for years when I first started taking Imitrex. What a miracle drug it was for me. I then read about Treximet on-line(a blend of Imitrex and Naproxen) being clinically tested. It was supposed to help patients who experienced muscle aches along with their migraines. Since that was my complaint I asked my neurologist about taking Naproxen along with my Imitrex. She told me to pop a generic Naproxen with the Imitrex. I’ve been taking it ever since and am a believer of Treximet (although I take it as two seperate pills). I guess you could say I was also an unofficial clinicial trial participant.
PS If your migraines are really persistent, the medication topamax may be prescribed daily as a preventative measure. It is remarkedly powerful in cutting down on the number of migraines weekly/monthly (with the added benefit of being an appetite suppresant). However the side effects can be daunting.
Very nice article on migraines drug. Thanks for the great tips!
Another great migraine article! I always like read your blog so I always come back for more.
Taking Treximet instead of Imitrex and Naproxen has worked better for me personally. The migraine is gone a whole lot quicker and I am functional quicker. I quit using the Imitex alone because the side effects were bad but the Treximet does not have that side effect anymore. BUT, when I took a second Treximet 36 hours later, I was having horrible side effects. I think the 24 hours between dosages might be wrong personally. I have take Imitrex and Maxalt for years and have never felt like that from a triptan in my whole life. Users beware.
I currently have prescriptions for Naproxen (500 mg) for knee inflamation and Imitrex (100 mg) for my migranes. Today I have a real whopper of a headache, and a horribly busy schedule. I’m going to take an Imitrex and a Naproxen, and I’ll report back on how it worked!
Unfortunately, since I had a very bad reaction to Imitrex, this isn’t an option for me.
The first time I took a dose (injection) of Imitrex, my migraine went away almost right away. The second time, my headache intensified unbelievably for about a half hour and then went away. The third and last time, my migraine was intensified to the point that I truly wanted to die to put my out of my pain. The intensity of the pain cannot be described.
so, no more Imitrex-like drugs for me, that’s for sure.
While generic Imitrex tabs and inhaler will be available in 2009, generic Imitrex injections could come out between August and November 2008. The company licensed to distribute it is and which, as of April 2008, does not know exactly when and at what discount from the brand-name, is
Par Pharamaceutical Inc.
http://ParPharm.com
One Ram Ridge Rd
Spring Valley NY 10977
(800) 828-9393
Spectrum Pharmaceuticals at (949) 788-6700 and http://Spectrumpharm.com, , the licensing agent, believes that the discount versus the brand name injections would be no more than 20%.
So according to GSK, this is the new and improved version of imitrex and the new and improved version of naproxen. As usual, it will probably be better for some patients that generic imitrex plus generic naproxen and make no difference for others. Either way this is still a “me too” drug. The primary motivation for GSK is the bottom line. Their claim, maybe.